Razor strop



July 2, i946. A. KUZDAL. 2,403,380

RAZOR STROP Filed May 2s, l1945 Inventar 5 a zawJ//zzz'im toneys Patented July 2, 1946 UNITED STATES PATENT orties,

`nazca s'rRoP Anthony Kuzdal, Willmantic, Conn.

Application May 2,3, 1945, Serial No. 595,319

rl-his invention relates to an improved combination two-way razor strop, such as is especially, buty not necessarily, adapted for use in barber shops or the like for properly conditioning socalled straight razors.

The ordinary or conventional strop in the same category is made of leather or various composition materials, and is highly flexible and pliable and is usually adapted to be hung on a hook, nail, or the like, to be used by the barber in a wellknown manner. The present invention, in general appearance, in its preferred form, looks like the standard strap or strop. However, it is constructed differently and functions, by the same token, along different lines for achieving desired aims with expediency and dependability.

In carrying out the principles of the invention, I provide a unique but practicable strop which is flexible and can be used in the customary convenient manner and location, and suspended from a barbers chair or from such hook or wall bracket or support as the individual may choose in the home, shop, or elsewhere.

In carrying out the principles of the invention, I contemplate the use of a thin, flexible strip of leather, of practical and convenient length and width, to one side or the back of which is aixed a very thin strip of either hard pine Wood or soft wood having the same dimensions as the leather strap as to Width and length and the same shape, thus giving an entire and solely leather surface of convenient size, shape and flexibility for the initial conditioning of the razors edge, and by the simple process of turning the strap over, giving also an entire and solely wood surface of convenient size, shape and flexibility to produce a, final smooth and keen cutting edge on the razor.

Another object of the invention has to do with improvements in refinements such as pertain to flexibility, a combination of distinguishable materials used in sequence, first to condition the razors edge and then to produce a smooth and keen edge, materials combined in such a manner as to give each material convenient use, practical size and shape for the purposes and ends to be accomplished.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent from the following description and the accompanying illustrative drawing.

In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a strop more or less conventional in shape but constructed in ac- 1 Claim. (Cl. 51-200) 2 cordance with the principles of this invention showing the leather side orsurface. l

Figure 2 is'a Cross-section on the plane of the line 2-2 of Figure 1` Figure 3 is a View like Figure 1 with the handgrip removed.

Figure 4 is an end view of the structure seen in Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a View similar to Figure 1 but showing an eXtra patch of leather for reinforcing purposes, on the reverse side of the handle or handgrip.

Briey, the invention comprises a strip of wood (either especially selected fine, straightl grain hard wood such as mahogany, lignum vitae, etc., or soft wood, such as balsa one-sixteenth of an inch in thickness), which is cut to a width and length convenient to strop a straight razor. 'Ihis strip of Wood is placed in a hot press to set the grain of the wood and add strength. It is then sanded and rubbed to produce as smooth a surface as possible. It is then securely aixed, by glue, grommets, or otherwise, to a leather strap of the same dimensions as to Width and length. Thus, a razor strop is produced having a leather surface on one side upon which a straight razor may be stropped to produce a rough-cutting edge, and also having a wood surface upon which a razor may be stropped to produce a keen, polished cutting edge. The wood surface should be used untreated, no paste nor other composition nor conditioner to be used, and it should be kept free of dust and moisture.

Referring now to the drawing by distinguishing reference numerals, and directing attention to Figures l and 2, the preferred embodiment of the strap, denoted generally by the numeral 6, includes an elongated rectangular body portion and a suitable hand-grip or handle 1. At the outer end of the body portion is a grommet 8 forming a hanger eye, this being adapted for suspension on a wall, hook, or barbers chair clip, or the like. The leather, which may be more or less conventional, comprises a single ply or strip I9 and this is of conventional proportion and shape. That portion I0 which covers the hand-grip is differentiated to facilitate a comparison of Figures 1 and 5 of the drawing. The wooden strip or ply, constructed of the aforementioned materials, is indicated at I I. This also has a part corresponding to the part IU in forming the two-ply handgrip. Both plies of wood and leather are of the same dimensions, obviously.

In the modification seen in Figure 3, the construction is the same except that here the handle 3 is omitted. In this modification the strop, as a unit, is indicated at 6a, includes a grommet 8a, a strip of leather 9a, and a corresponding strip or ply of wood I la. Otherwise both forms of the invention in Figures l and 3 are the same.

The form of the invention seen in Figure 5 need not be treated as a modification. Therefore, the same numbers represent the same parts, and the only addition here is the extra patch of leather l2 which applies to the Wood surface of the hand-grip. In other Words, in Figure 1 we have a two-ply hand-grip, and in Figure 5 we have a three-ply hand-grip with the two outer plies formed of leather and the middle ply of wood.

It is to be noted in connection with all forms of the invention that the leather strap is bonded by gluing or yby some other mode of fastening at its outer ends only to the corresponding outer ends of the wooden ply. It follows, therefore, that the major or intermediate portions of wooden and leather plys are detached from one another. This is mostly designed for flexibility and freedom of action necessary in a precision stropper of this type.

It is thought that persons skilled in the art to which the invention relates will be able to obtain a clear understanding of the invention after considering the description in connection with the drawing. Therefore, a more lengthy description is regarded as unnecessary.

Minor changes in the shape, size and arrangement of details coming Within the field of invention claimed may be resorted to in actual practice, if desired.

I claim:

A straight razor stropper of the class described comprising an elongated strip of soft balsa wood of predetermined shape and proportions, and a companion and coacting correspondingly shaped and proportioned elongated strip of leather, said strips being securely fastened together at their respective outer ends and .having their intermediate portions freely detached and separated from one another.

\ ANTHONY KUZDAL. 

